From Destin to the White House?

Published: Thursday, August 21, 2014 at 06:13 PM.

Kerry Bowers and his wife bought a motor coach in 2010, packed their bags and, as retirees do, left Destin to see the country.

They’ve since traded in the big bus for a 21-foot travel trailer and confined their movement to a single ribbon of roadway.

The campaign trail.

Kerry Bowers, retired lieutenant colonel and former Destinite, is a candidate for the office of President of the United States.

He’s spending this month in Iowa, meeting the kind of people he’ll need to know next year when the 2016 campaign begins in earnest.

“We are being introduced to people who have the ability to get our message out,” he said.

Bowers is one of more than 100 candidates, and 30 or so Republicans, who have thus far officially announced their intention to seek the presidency.

Like most of those others already in the race, he’s running on a shoe string budget, without a lot of name recognition, though he has served as a national spokesman on behalf of the Fair Tax.

He’s still a big advocate of the plan, which calls for eliminating pay roll taxes and charging a straight up sales tax on purchases of new items and services.

There’s no question, in fact, where Bowers stands on just about anything.

A strict constitutionalist, he spent three years putting together a detailed campaign platform before ever initiating a run for office.

He’s outlined plans for everything from balancing the federal budget to fixing health care and the social security system. It’s all out there on his website, he says, for everyone to view.

Terry Shoemaker, the Florida Fair Tax Okaloosa County Coordinator, has worked closely with Bowers, and he’s convinced his presidential campaign isn’t something to be laughed at.

“If he sets his mind to it, he can do anything,” Shoemaker said.

Shoemaker said Bowers also has “leadership qualities” lacking in many now seeking federal office.

“He’s one of those people you want to follow wherever he goes,” he said.

Bowers is realistic enough to know he’s got a lot to overcome if he really wants to someday sit in the White House. But he’s hoping, if nothing else, some of the more mainstream Republican candidates will pick up on his ideas and organizational strategies.

He said he wants voters to look at his campaign and ask other candidates why they won’t be as specific about their plans as Kerry Bowers.

“Don’t let someone else decide who your candidate will be,” he said. “If they’re not as on point as Kerry Bowers tell them ‘You, Mr. Candidate, need to go back and prepare.’ ”

Kerry Bowers and his wife bought a motor coach in 2010, packed their bags and, as retirees do, left Destin to see the country.

They’ve since traded in the big bus for a 21-foot travel trailer and confined their movement to a single ribbon of roadway.

The campaign trail.

Kerry Bowers, retired lieutenant colonel and former Destinite, is a candidate for the office of President of the United States.

He’s spending this month in Iowa, meeting the kind of people he’ll need to know next year when the 2016 campaign begins in earnest.

“We are being introduced to people who have the ability to get our message out,” he said.

Bowers is one of more than 100 candidates, and 30 or so Republicans, who have thus far officially announced their intention to seek the presidency.

Like most of those others already in the race, he’s running on a shoe string budget, without a lot of name recognition, though he has served as a national spokesman on behalf of the Fair Tax.

He’s still a big advocate of the plan, which calls for eliminating pay roll taxes and charging a straight up sales tax on purchases of new items and services.

There’s no question, in fact, where Bowers stands on just about anything.

A strict constitutionalist, he spent three years putting together a detailed campaign platform before ever initiating a run for office.

He’s outlined plans for everything from balancing the federal budget to fixing health care and the social security system. It’s all out there on his website, he says, for everyone to view.

Terry Shoemaker, the Florida Fair Tax Okaloosa County Coordinator, has worked closely with Bowers, and he’s convinced his presidential campaign isn’t something to be laughed at.

“If he sets his mind to it, he can do anything,” Shoemaker said.

Shoemaker said Bowers also has “leadership qualities” lacking in many now seeking federal office.

“He’s one of those people you want to follow wherever he goes,” he said.

Bowers is realistic enough to know he’s got a lot to overcome if he really wants to someday sit in the White House. But he’s hoping, if nothing else, some of the more mainstream Republican candidates will pick up on his ideas and organizational strategies.

He said he wants voters to look at his campaign and ask other candidates why they won’t be as specific about their plans as Kerry Bowers.

“Don’t let someone else decide who your candidate will be,” he said. “If they’re not as on point as Kerry Bowers tell them ‘You, Mr. Candidate, need to go back and prepare.’ ”